Autopsy: Ga. man died of blunt-force trauma

Published: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at 5:45 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at 5:45 p.m.

Autopsy results show that a 71-year-old Georgia man found dead in an Etowah condo after an altercation with his son on Jan. 27 died as a result of complications from blunt-force trauma.

An autopsy report from Wake Forest University School of Medicine's Department of Pathology says numerous bruises and abrasions covered Gerald Walker's face, torso and upper extremities, some of which had a hooked, beaded pattern.

Other injuries included multiple contusions and abrasions on his legs and feet, a subdural hemorrhage, and a few fractured ribs.

Michael Stephen Walker, 44, has been charged with murder and is being held in the Henderson County Detention Facility under no bond.

Michael Walker called 911 Sunday evening and said his father, who was visiting from Lilburn, Ga., had suffered a heart attack, but police say they found evidence that proved otherwise. When deputies arrived at 24 Sagebrush Circle in the Penncross Estates subdivision, they “immediately smelled a strong odor of bleach,” the Sheriff's Office said in a news release Jan. 28.

Michael Walker told officers that he and his father had fought about 10 minutes before he called 911 and that his father must have had a heart attack, according to the release. Deputies noted there were signs of a struggle.

There was also an “indication that alcohol may have been involved,” Maj. Frank Stout said in January. No alcohol was detected in Walker's blood.

The victim owned the condo and often visited his son, who lived in the home.

<p>Autopsy results show that a 71-year-old Georgia man found dead in an Etowah condo after an altercation with his son on Jan. 27 died as a result of complications from blunt-force trauma. </p><p>An autopsy report from Wake Forest University School of Medicine's Department of Pathology says numerous bruises and abrasions covered Gerald Walker's face, torso and upper extremities, some of which had a hooked, beaded pattern. </p><p>Other injuries included multiple contusions and abrasions on his legs and feet, a subdural hemorrhage, and a few fractured ribs. </p><p>Michael Stephen Walker, 44, has been charged with murder and is being held in the Henderson County Detention Facility under no bond.</p><p>Michael Walker called 911 Sunday evening and said his father, who was visiting from Lilburn, Ga., had suffered a heart attack, but police say they found evidence that proved otherwise. When deputies arrived at 24 Sagebrush Circle in the Penncross Estates subdivision, they “immediately smelled a strong odor of bleach,” the Sheriff's Office said in a news release Jan. 28. </p><p>Michael Walker told officers that he and his father had fought about 10 minutes before he called 911 and that his father must have had a heart attack, according to the release. Deputies noted there were signs of a struggle. </p><p>There was also an “indication that alcohol may have been involved,” Maj. Frank Stout said in January. No alcohol was detected in Walker's blood. </p><p>The victim owned the condo and often visited his son, who lived in the home.</p>